Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapy relies heavily on personal judgment, so fully replacing therapists is rare today. However, some tools are beginning to help. For example, AI “chatbots” and language models can draft clinical notes and progress reports.

A recent study found that AI-generated OT documentation was rated high in quality and empathy, suggesting it might ease the paper‐work burden ^{[1] [1]}. Similarly, AI-driven analysis (using sensors or computer vision) is being tested to assess patients’ movements and daily function. Early research shows AI can improve the precision of assessments and better tailor rehab goals to each person ^{[2] [1]}.

Virtual reality games and simple robots are also used to guide therapy exercises, making rehabilitation more engaging and measurable ^{[1] [1]}. That said, tasks like choosing the best activities for a patient or redesigning someone’s home environment still rely on the therapist’s expertise. Today, AI mostly augments OT work (for example by automating notes or analyzing data) rather than replacing the human touch ^{[1] [1]}.

Why might AI spread in occupational therapy? One reason is efficiency: tools that auto-generate notes or analyze patient data could save time for therapists ^{[1] [1]}. Better tools might even improve care – for instance, AI can help create more personalized care plans and boost patient engagement in therapy ^{[1] [2]}.

Also, with an aging population, demand for OTs is growing (the field is a “Bright Outlook” career), so any help handling heavy workloads is welcome. On the other hand, OT care is very personal and regulated. Medical records are sensitive, so AI must be safe and private.

Studies emphasize that human oversight remains crucial when AI makes notes or decisions ^{[1] [1]}. High-tech solutions like VR systems or therapy robots can be expensive for clinics. Finally, both therapists and patients need time to trust new tools.

Because empathy and communication are key in therapy, people will still count on human clinicians. In summary, AI in occupational therapy will likely grow steadily where it proves helpful (like documentation and measurement) but will be adopted carefully, keeping real therapists at the center ^{[1] [1]}.